6 Maintenance Tips to Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip

A road trip can be a truly unique experience for everyone involved. The freedom to organize your whole trip and adjust your time in accordance with your wishes is priceless. You don’t have to depend on tour operators trying to accommodate the wishes of all travelers, but you can completely focus on what you want. However, in order to make your next trip memorable (in a positive way), there are quite a few things you need to do beforehand. There is accommodation to be sorted out, the itinerary to be agreed upon by all the parties involved and you really need to make sure your car is ready for a long trip. To help you with this last item, we’ve prepared the following list of tips and tasks you should do before you drive off.

Battery

Your car battery needs to be replaced every few years, depending on the conditions in which you normally drive and the mileage you cover. However, it’s always a good idea to inspect it before a longer trip. You should check that the connection is tight and corrosion-free, to begin with. If there is corrosion, you must disconnect the battery and clean the connectors with a wire brush. If you are afraid to do that, take your car to a nearby mechanic, who can inspect the battery and confirm it is ready for your road trip.

Belts and hoses

The engine belts and hoses in your car should keep your car’s electrical, power steering and cooling systems functioning perfectly. That’s why they need to be inspected before a road trip. If there is a crack, you have to replace the part immediately and if you notice a large amount of slack, you should tighten the belts. Logically, the hoses should be inspected for any leaks or drips. Each car comes with an owner’s manual, where you can check the recommended service intervals. So, make sure you respect these recommendations, but also have your belts and hoses checked before a road trip.

Brakes

There should be no squealing noises coming from your car’s brakes, nor should your brake pedal feel spongy when you press it. However, if that’s the case, visit your local mechanic without delay. To ensure your safety while driving, you need the brakes to be in perfect condition. Also, verify the level of brake fluid while checking the others, and top it off, if necessary.

Windscreen

You’d be surprised to learn how many problems can arise if the windscreen is not in perfect condition. And even it is, it’s one of the parts that is most likely to be damaged during a road trip, especially if you have to do a bit of off-road driving, where a small piece of rock or some other material can crack your windscreen. Australians are known to love road trips, for example, but driving to the outback or around an area with gravel and rocks is quite hazardous when it comes to your windscreen. That’s why you should always have contact details of someone who can help you repair your windscreen, such as these experts in quality windscreen repairs from Sydney, with you.

Tires

To begin with, make sure you check the condition of the tire tread. If you notice uneven wear on all of the tires, it’s time for a tire rotation or alignment before your trip. An expert will tell you if that is a viable option or if you need to get a new set of tires. Also, you need to have the right type of tires for the trip, depending on the weather condition and terrains you expect to encounter on the road trip. Finally, you should make sure your tires are properly inflated. Check the tire pressure before setting off, but do it while the tires are cold and don’t forget to inspect the car’s spare tire, too!

Fluids and filters

Check the levels of your car’s many fluids, including engine oil, power steering and transmission fluids and windshield washer fluid. If your car is close to needing its next oil change, it may be worth having it done before your trip. You should also check your vehicle’s engine coolant tank to confirm it’s filled to the car manufacturer’s recommended level. However, keep in mind that even if it’s filled to the proper level, you may still need to have the coolant changed out if there are floating particles in it. Lastly, ensure that the engine air filter isn’t dirty or clogged with debris.

If you don’t want to spend your holiday in a repair shop and ruin the whole experience, make sure you follow these tips and enjoy your time on the road!